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High street retailer BHS is expected to file for administration today.

Up to 11,000 workers face an anxious wait with a statement expected "about BHS's future".

It could end 88 years of trading by British Home Stores, one of the UK's most recognised high street brand names.

It would be the biggest retail failure since Woolworths folded in 2008 with the loss of almost 30,000 jobs.

The BBC says sources close to the owners have told the organisation "things don't look good".

Sports Direct has been in talks to buy some of BHS's 164 stores but it is understood any company would only buy the shops if it did not have to take on its £571 million pension deficit.

The company has a presence in Wales with stores including those in Newport, Cardiff, Swansea Llandudno , Wrexham and Carmarthen.

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The store, which sells affordable clothing and quality home items, has struggled recently against online shopping and value fashion stores such as Primark.

Entrepreneur Sir Philip Green, who owns Topshop, sold BHS last year for £1.

Letter to staff

In a letter to staff, BHS owner Dominic Chappell said: "It is with a deep heart that I have to report, despite a massive effort from the team, we have been unable to secure a funder or a trade sale."

Mr Chappell said he was "sincerely sorry" and assured staff they would be paid their wages this month.

He added: "I would like to say it has been a real pleasure working with all of you on the BHS project, one I will never forget, you all need to keep your heads held high, you all have done a great job, but remember that it was always going to be very very hard to turn around."

But the retailer is struggling to make a profit and is rumoured to be ready to file for administration.

What are BHS's options?

1. A buy-out

Talks are continuing with Sports Direct with discussions centring on a plan for the budget activewear chain to buy some of BHS's 164 stores. But it is understood the company would only buy the shops if it did not have to take on its £571 million pension deficit, according to the BBC. Sources close to the negotiations told the Financial Times that a deal going through was highly unlikely.

2. Rescue Package

Retail Acquisitions bought the company in 2015 for £1 from Topshop owner Sir Philip Green. The new owner planned to deliver £160 million of funding but have not been able to find the money, the BBC said. The chain had success when a reduction of rents was negotiated with landlords across the country and the owners also tried to find more funds through property sales, including their Oxford Street lease, but even this did not make as much money as had been hoped. A last-minute loan could help the ailing firm.

3. What will happen if it goes into administration?

Administration would put around 11,000 - 8,000 employees and another 3,000 contractors - at risk.

The restructuring firm Duff and Phelps has been rumoured as administrator for BHS should neither of the rescue options materialise, will likely try and find a buyer for BHS as a going concern.

4. What will happen to the firm's problematic pension deficit?

The creditor rights to the fund were passed onto the government-backed Pension Protection Fund (PPF), an organisation that safeguards pension scheme members if their employer becomes insolvent, in March. Administration would probably mean the pension scheme is bailed out by the PPF.

5. When will staff get more information?

If the retailer does go into administration, staff will be told about the collapse at a meeting at 11am on Monday, according to The Guardian. A statement posted on the BHS website on Friday insisted that the company is not in administration nor has it applied to be and that the website is operating "as usual".